ACTIF 2023: Guyana’s Irfaan Ali on bringing stakeholders together

In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, shared insights on the AFRI-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum and its role in bringing stakeholders together towards economic growth and investment realization across the two regions. The forum aimed at creating consortiums and fostering investments, with a clear message from policymakers and governments advocating for trade expansion and partnership formation. President Ali emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity presented by this unified vision and commitment from governments to facilitate trade and investment. He highlighted the need for collaboration, leverage, and partnerships to harness the comparative advantages of both Africa and the Caribbean. President Ali underscored the significance of networking and collaboration in identifying and combining the distinct competitive advantages of each region. By integrating these strengths into a unified framework, the goal is to develop products and services that can compete on a global scale. Utilizing the geographic proximity of Africa and the Caribbean, the aim is to expand trade and leverage shared resources for mutual economic benefit. One crucial aspect of this economic transformation is finance, with the CARICOM Development Fund playing a pivotal role in supporting both the development and private investment requirements of the region. As President Ali mentioned, the fund is essential for addressing the diverse development needs of the region, as well as enhancing opportunities for private sector investments. The AFRI-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum serves as a platform for driving sustainable economic growth by fostering partnerships, encouraging investments, and leveraging the unique strengths of each region. The collaborative efforts of governments, policymakers, and private sector investors are vital in realizing the shared goal of economic prosperity and sustainable development.